The opportunists who had been wavering immediately sided with Mr. Grant when they heard his words.
“Miss Aurora, you’re new here and don’t understand the family’s dynamics. We’ll pretend we didn’t hear anything. Everything stays the same. You’re still the head of the family.”
“Yes, Miss Aurora, our ancestors followed these traditions. Why can’t you continue them?”
Aurora found their accusations laughable. It wasn’t tradition they were defending but their own interests.
Their actions weren’t for her or the family’s benefit. It was all about their profits.
Before this, Aurora hadn’t fully grasped their true faces and had hesitated in making a decision. But now, seeing their hypocrisy, she felt more determined than ever.
“Everyone, I think you’ve misunderstood me,” she said calmly. “My mother is right-we’re family. How could I ever harm my own relatives?”
The crowd assumed Aurora had come to her senses and cheered up instantly.
“Miss Aurora, it’s wise of you to think this way. We’re all one big family, after all.”
But Aurora’s next words sent shockwaves through the room.
“Since we’re family, we should care for one another. But this is the 21st century-hereditary systems should be abolished.
Effort should be rewarded. I understand that in this family, newborns automatically receive shares from both their parents and the family.
Even though only one child per family can inherit shares, over time, these shares are diluted among more and more people.
If these children contribute to the family business, then, of course, they deserve the shares. But based on my investigation, hardly any of your children are working for the company.
In other words, they do nothing all year yet collect millions in dividends just for carrying the family name. Isn’t that ridiculous?
Even beggars on the street know they need to put in the effort to receive money. Your children, on the other hand, just sit at home and wait for it to arrive. Don’t you think that’s laughable?”
This family had another absurd rule: whenever someone had a child, 1% of the head of the family’s shares had to be distributed.
As a result, the head of the family held fewer and fewer shares while the extended relatives gained more and more.
Aurora suspected that the previous head of the family, after suffering emotional setbacks, had been crushed under the weight of these absurd expectations and set these rules in place.
The relatives feared that if the family head had a man, the family might gradually shift toward a patriarchal system, and their profits would be jeopardized.
Having grown accustomed to effortless wealth, they were unwilling to change. Aurora’s mere suggestion of reform had already caused an uproar.
“Miss Aurora, what do you mean by saying we’re worse than beggars? We’re family! How could you talk about us like this?”
These relatives were the type that, in any ordinary household, would be the worst kind-always trying to take advantage, petty, and sharp-tongued.
“I am speaking as family,” Aurora replied, her tone steady. “Listen to me. I said I consider you all family.
From now on, women over the age of 45 and men over the age of 50 can continue to hold their shares without any changes.
However, anyone else who wants to keep receiving annual dividends must work at the company. There will also be performance evaluations-those who fail to meet the requirements or refuse to work will no longer receive dividends.”
“What?!”
“Miss Aurora, you’re going too far! You can’t just cancel annual dividends like that!”
Most of the attendees were elders who doted on their children. Aurora’s new policy was a direct attack on their children’s privileges, and their outrage was palpable.
They glared at Aurora like mother hens protecting their chicks, their eyes filled with hostility.
Aurora, however, had anticipated this reaction. She hadn’t taken on the family leadership just for herself. If it were only for her own benefit, she wouldn’t have risked everything.
“This is considered excessive? While we work hard every day, your children sit at home counting money. My mother worked herself to exhaustion. There’s no such thing as free rewards in this world.
Effort should be proportional to rewards.
And one more change: children in this family are no longer required to take the Walsh surname.
If a child wants to take the mother’s surname, they can. If they want to take the father’s surname, that’s fine too. Men can also join the company. From now on, there will be no favoritism toward girls over boys.
All children will be treated equally at birth, and their income will correspond to their contributions.”
Aurora’s words sparked unanimous opposition.
Tina was stunned. These were changes she had dreamed of but never had the courage to enact. Aurora truly had the boldness to make it happen.
Mio, too, was deeply shocked. As a man who had grown up in this dysfunctional family, he understood its sickness all too well.
Born into a disadvantaged background, with his parents deceased and being a boy, Mio had endured much bullying and discrimination.
Most of the company’s employees were women, while men, even if they joined, were relegated to low-ranking positions.
The fact that Mio had risen to the position of vice president was a testament to his immense hard work and sacrifice.
He had always wanted to lead the family, partly to abolish these unfair rules. He never expected Aurora to do it for him.
As the crowd erupted in anger, some even proposed uniting with Mr. Grant to strip Aurora of her authority.
The situation grew increasingly chaotic. Tina hadn’t expected Aurora to say something so shocking.
“Miss Aurora, if you insist on going your own way, don’t blame us for being ruthless. We, the shareholders, will vote to elect a new president.”
At this point, they abandoned tradition and turned to their shares for leverage.
Tina tried to calm them down. “Everyone, please, let’s discuss this further.”
“Madam, it’s not that we don’t respect you. We’ve sincerely accepted Aurora as the head of the family. But she’s trying to change everything as soon as she arrives. Where does that leave us?”
“Exactly, madam. Please talk some sense into her. If she insists on this, we’ll have no choice but to elect Mio as the new head to take over the company.”
They only wanted to elect someone who would protect their interests and maintain the status quo.
After remaining silent for a long time, Mio finally spoke.
“Everyone seems to have forgotten that I’ve already announced my resignation as vice president. Moreover, I’m willing to transfer 6% of my shares to Miss Aurora unconditionally.”
“Mio, you traitorous ingrate!” Mr. Grant was almost apoplectic with rage. Aurora’s actions had given them a glimmer of hope, and yet Mio had chosen to side with her. Was he insane?
Mr. Grant wasn’t the only one shocked-Aurora was equally stunned.
“You’re transferring your shares to me?” she asked, incredulous.